Eighty feet of the waterline nicely making way

Actually, the boat in ‘Maidentrip’ is 40 feet, but CSN seemed appropriate here

What kind of
parent lets a 14-year-old sail solo around the world? What kind of 14-year-old
wants to undertake that journey? Remember Laura Dekker, the Dutch kid who set
out in 2010 to becomes the youngest person ever to do just that? By the end of Maidentrip,
it becomes clear. In fact, halfway through it becomes clear: This is one
teenager with more smarts, determination and ability than most adults.

Dekker’s journey
doesn’t get off to an auspicious start. She’s mired in a court case for a year
in the Netherlands that prevents her from leaving. When the court decides
there’s no reason to stop her, she wastes little time and hits the seas.

She has a camera
and is constantly shooting. Her videos and some archival footage make up the
bulk of Maidentrip, and the movie is a fascinating capsule view of a
true independent and adventurous spirit.

There are moments
when Dekker’s age shows—the way she rebuffs a reporter she doesn’t like seems
particularly teenagery—but for the most part she’s absolutely suited to the
tasks at hand. She even relishes her alone time after at first being concerned
she may dislike it. And given the beauty of the journey, it’s easy to see what
she loves about the open water.